Steve A. Smith, a kind-hearted and reliable 64-year-old grandfather from St. Charles, Missouri, was remembered by his family as a safe person to be around, someone who "felt like a warm hug." A devoted Christian, he was active in the men's ministry at Grace New Covenant Church, where he and his wife, Evelyn, were recently honored for 15 years of service. He owned a janitorial business and often provided his services to the church for free, sometimes bringing his grandchildren along to help him clean. Steve spoiled his seven grandchildren, paying for family trips to Florida and making time to attend as many of their sports games as possible. His family described him and his grandson, Deuce, as inseparable best friends.
On the evening of Sunday, November 1, 2026, Steve drove to Madison Senior High School in Madison, Illinois, to watch his 12-year-old grandson, Stephon "Deuce" Smith Jr., play in the American Youth Football 12-and-under championship game.
Deuce’s team, the East St. Louis Jr. Flyers, was playing against a longtime rival, the O Supreme. The game was a third-party event, not sponsored by the school district. With about a minute left to play and the Jr. Flyers losing, the stadium lights, which were on a timer, shut off. A brawl erupted on the field among adults, and the scene devolved into chaos. The public address announcer urged people to leave, saying, "The game is over. Take your kids and go home."
As people rushed toward the single exit gate in a "stampede-style" panic, gunfire rang out. Steve A. Smith was shot about 15 yards from the entrance gate as he was leaving the stadium. His son, Stephon Smith, lost track of his father in the crowd. After getting his own son to the car, he called his father's phone six or seven times with no answer. He walked back toward the field and saw someone shining a flashlight over a body on the ground. As he got closer, he realized it was his father. Steve Smith died at the scene. Three other people, including two coaches for the East St. Louis team, Damariyay Carter and Bacari Woods, were also shot but survived their injuries.
The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis immediately took lead on the homicide investigation, with assistance from the Springfield Office of the FBI. Investigators found 13 shell casings at two different locations, leading them to believe there were at least two shooters. In the days following the shooting, a team of 21 law enforcement officers pursued more than two dozen leads. Authorities pleaded with the hundreds of people who attended the game to come forward with any information, photos, or videos that could help identify the suspects.
"While watching 12- and 13-year-olds play football, violence erupted and gunshots rang out, killing one, injuring three, and creating terror for hundreds," said U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft. "We don't have to live like this." Lt. Andrew Pierson of the Major Case Squad added, "Someone in that crowd saw something, recorded something, or has heard something since. A single photo, a short video, or one detail you think is insignificant may be exactly what moves this investigation forward.” Deuce's mother, Myia Woolfolk, noted there had been a history of tension and trash-talking on the internet between adults associated with the two rival teams.
In the wake of the tragedy, Madison Community Unit School District 12 canceled classes and made counseling services available to students and staff. The St. Louis-American Youth Football league issued a statement lamenting that "what should have been a joyful conclusion to a championship day turned into something traumatic and heartbreaking." Steve’s family was left devastated by the sudden, violent loss of their patriarch. His granddaughter, Skylar Smith, 14, remembered him as a constant, comforting presence in her life.
As of November 2026, the investigation into Steve A. Smith's murder is ongoing, and no arrests have been announced. The Major Case Squad and the FBI continue to seek information from the public. A reward is available through CrimeStoppers. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Case Squad at 618-709-7750 or CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477. The FBI also created a website for witnesses to upload digital media from the event: fbi.gov/madisonilshooting.
